Top Class Aerobatics of 'Russian Knights'

April 5 marked 25-year anniversary of the Russian Knights (Russkie Vityazi) aerobatic team of the Russian Air Force. Sputnik has compiled the photos of the best stunts and the best formations performed by the group. 

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© AFP 2023 / Dmitry Kostyukov

The Russian Knight aerobatics team fly Su-27 fighter jets at the MAKS international aerospace show outside Moscow in Zhukovsky on August 23, 2009.

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© Sputnik / Alexander Nesterov

A Russian Knight Su-27 fighter jet pilot greets spectators at the air show at its home air base in Kubinka, Moscow Region, dedicated to the 75-year anniversary of the air base and 22-year anniversary of the group.

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© Sputnik / Ramil Sitdikov

The groups’ Su-27 fighter jets during the rehearsal of the opening ceremony of the International Army Gasmes 2015 at Alabino range in the Moscow Region.

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© Sputnik / Mikhail Syritsa

Russian Knights and Swifts (Strizhi) pilots after their training flight to their temporary air base.

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© Sputnik / Grigoriy Sisoev

Su-27 fighter jets of the Russian Knights aerobatic group and MiG-29 of the Swifts group flying above Moscow’s Red Square during the general rehearsal of the Victory Parade.

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© AP Photo / Dmitry Lovetsky

The Russian aerobatic group fly their Sukhoi SU-27 jet fighters during a local airshow in Pushkin military airport outside St.Petersburg, Russia.

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© Sputnik / Alexey Kudenko

A pilot at the Kubinka Air Base. The Russian Knights and Swifts groups are getting ready for the air show marking 20-year anniversary of the creation of the aerobatic groups.

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© AFP 2023 / Interpress/Aleksander Nikolaev

The Russian Knights plane perform during the annual International Maritime Defense Show in Saint Petersburg, 29 June 2003.

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© Sputnik / Alexei Danichev

Aerobatic groups “Russian Knights” are flying their Su-27 jets during a “Military Service Under Contract is Your Choice” campaign in St. Petersburg.

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© Sputnik / Alexei Druzhinin

Then-Prime Minister Vladimir Putin during his meeting with the Russian Knights aerobatic group on August 18, 2009.

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© Sputnik / Alexey Malgavko

Russian Knights fly their Su-27 jets during a “Military Service Under Contract is Your Choice” campaign in the city of Omsk, southwestern Siberia.

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© Sputnik / Skryinikov

Russian Knights squadron at their home air base in Kubinka, Moscow Region.